Possible Threat Puts Summit County Council on Alert

A Bath Township resident has the attention of Bath police and the Summit County Sheriff's department after some comments made at Monday's Summit County Council meeting and an apparent phone call by the same individual.

The incident appears to stem from plans by the County Council to split Bath Township as part of a redistricting plan to adjust for population changes in Summit County.  

"There's no specific threat, just cause for concern," said Bath Police Chief Mike McNeely. "A Bath Township resident had made contact with members of Summit County Council." McNeely said he received information from the Summit County Sheriff's Department. 

Bath Township Trustees have made clear their opposition to splitting the township with redistricting. Two committees on Monday recommended passage of the redistricting plan designed by John Schmidt, District 2, despite the opposition. The next step is for the issue to go to the full council for a second reading -- and likely public debate -- at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15. Council must read the issue three times in public before taking a final vote on the redistricting.

Bath Township is now represented by Nick Kostandaras, District 1, whose district includes much of northern Summit County. The proposed plan would split Bath Township between Districts 4 and 5. Frank Communale represents District 4 and Tamela Lee represents District 5. 

Council President Jerry Feeman, District 6, said, "At any time, I did not feel threatened by this guy," without naming the individual. 

"He called for me yesterday," Feeman said on Thursday. "We had a long conversation; he expressed his concerns about splitting Bath." 

No charges have been filed.